There is a mutual respect. There is also, ironically, a family connection.

Rondout’s star quarterback Keith Malak is the son of Jim Malak, who coached the Ganders to 99 wins, five sectional titles and a state championship (2000) from 1992-2008. Jim Malak joined Marlboro’s coaching staff this year.

A lack of players led to the decision to drop Rondout’s varsity program in ‘09. Malak and Iacobaccio coached the junior varsity that season and, when the varsity was reinstated in ‘10, Malak was not retained.

“No one expected us to be here,” Iacobaccio remarked. “We didn’t have a team four years ago and to be playing in the sectional championship game now is absolutely amazing.

“It’s a testament to the players’ work ethic and the commitment, not only of the players and the coaches, but the community.”

Another cross-connection is former Marlboro high coach Bob Koonz, who is now a Rondout assistant.

These are two high-powered offenses. The Dukes average 41.4 points per game and the Ganders 31.1. It will, however, really come down to a test of the two defenses. Marlboro is giving up only 13 points a game, while Rondout yields just 16.5.

Each offense has so many weapons, the problem for the opposing defense is how to guard everything.

Each has a superior quarterback who is as deadly running with the ball as they are with their precision passes. They also have a fair share of targets. Malak favors Brett Steers and Joe Hafner, while Cary looks to Matt Marquis, Zach Sakadelis, Harry St. John and Reno Tamburri.

Marsallis Faircloth, Cary and Tamburri form the rushing triumvirate for Marlboro. Josh Santiago, Malak and Hafner are Rondout’s primary runners.

Linebackers Ryan Greaven and Sam Galage, who have combined for 223 tackles and 5 1/2 sacks, anchor the Duke defense. Other key players are Jon Sakadelis, Clint Howell and Dustin Eyerman on the line and Alain Dumas in the secondary.

Red Hook took an early lead, but Marlboro outscored it 41-3 over the next 26 minutes en route to a 41-25 victory. Faircloth ran for two touchdowns, Cary rushed for another and Tamburri ran for one TD and caught a scoring pass from Cary in the victory.

Rondout appeared to cruising to an easy win over Highland, leading 27-7 middle of the third quarter.

Then all heck broke loose.

The Huskies scored 23 consecutive points and led 30-27 with 1:20 remaining. Rondout took less than a minute to answer, with Malak’s 10-yard TD pass to Steers with 22.4 seconds left giving the Ganders a 34-30 triumph.

Malak ran for three touchdowns and threw two TDs to Steers to orchestrate the win.

“The last time we played in a section final was 2006. The last title was 2002. No matter what happens, it’s been a great season,” Iacobaccio said.

“We’re happy to be here, but that’s not good enough.”

“We have to play 48 minutes of hard-nosed Marlboro football and let the chips fall where they may,” Ward said.

Even though the teams will be playing for a B title, both will be bringing out their best.

“We have to bring our ‘A’ game and see what happens,” Ward said.

“With a good team like Marlboro, you can’t make a lot of mistakes,” Iacobaccio noted.